The author, a member of the Igbo tribe in Nigeria, presents text and her own photographs of twenty-six things, from A to Z, representing all African peoples.Stunning color photographs depict everyday life in Nigeria in this unusual ABC book by a talented African photographer. "An incisive, sophisticated view of her homeland's rich heritage".--"Publishers Weekly".

Have you ever said to yourself, "Wouldn't it be nice to be a detective?"
This is the story of an African girl who says just that. Her name is Precious.
When a piece of cake goes missing from her classroom, a traditionally built young boy is tagged as the culprit. Precious, however, is not convinced. She sets out to find the real thief. Along the way she learns that your first guess isn't always right. She also learns how to be a detective. (recommended for ages 7to 9)

Will Femi the Fox learn a valuable lesson on his hunt for some Jollof rice? Written by Team GB Olympian, Jeanette Kwakye, this is a tale teaching children about West African cooking and culture, using Femi the Fox and his friends. With beautiful illustrations from South African based illustrator, Katlego Kgabale, this is sure to be a firm favourite in many homes.

Etabo dreams of being a camel racer. One day he might even beat his older brother when they race. But with the price of water rising, Etabo's father must sell the camels, and his siblings must find work. What will Etabo do now? From acclaimed Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu and Italian illustrator Manuela Adreani, this story of love and hope centers on the inspiring Turkana people of northwest Kenya. Told with gentleness and humor, it is a universal story about keeping one's dreams alive.

Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa and a Nobel Laureate for Peace, has selected these thirty-two tales with the specific hope that Africa's oldest stories, as well as a few new ones, be perpetuated by future generations and be appreciated by children throughout the world. In these "beloved stories, morsels rich with the gritty essence of Africa," we meet, among many others, a Kenyan lion named Simba, a snake with seven heads and a trickster from Zulu folklore; we hear the voices of the scheming hyena and learn from a Khoi fable how animals acquired their tails and horns. Several creation myths tell us how the land, its animals, and its people all came into existence under a punishing sun or against the backdrop of a spectacularly beautiful mountain landscape. Whether warning children about the dangers of disobedience or demonstrating that the underdog can--and often does--win, these stories, through their depiction of wise animals as well as evil monsters, are "universal in their portrayal of humanity, beasts, and the mystical."What is particularly exciting about this book is that many of the stories, in their oral form, are almost as old as Africa itself. Most of them were, in fact, first told in various African tongues around evening fires in centuries past--tales from, for example, the San and the Khoi, the original hunter-gatherers and livestock herders of Southern Africa. Translated into English and other European languages chiefly in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries from their original languages--be they Karanga, Nguni, Xhosa, or one of many others--these folktales are a testament to the craft of storytelling and the power of myth. Accompanied by dozens of enchanting, specially commissioned color paintings, Favorite African Folktales--culled from African countries as far-flung as Morocco, Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya--presents a fountain of precious knowledge that will be treasured by children, as well as adults, for years to come.

"Deron Goes to Nusery School" is a title in the "First Experiences" series, a vivid new series portraying young children's very first experiences of nursery school, time with grandparents, and other events. The first time for anything can be daunting, and these books set out to familiarize children, through simple read-aloud words and beautiful photos, with what seems at first unfamiliar but will eventually become a routine part of everyday life. Set in and photographed in Ghana in West Africa, these beautiful books brilliantly capture these universal early childhood experiences from the relatively unusual and revealing perspective of a country in the developing world. In "Deron Goes to Nusery School," Deron watches his mother make his new school clothes. The next day he goes with her to the school and meets his new teacher, who shows him around the school and introduces him to the other children. Playing, singing, writing, eating lunch, resting, and listening to a story are all part of Deron's exciting first day, and at the end he can't wait to go back tomorrow. Written and photographed by an award-winning author, this is a uniquely heart-warming book to share with all young children. (Ages 4-7)

On the plains of East Africa, a cheetah named Aesha raises her cubs, working hard to feed them and protect them from harm. At night she sings songs to teach them about the world around them and what it means to be a cheetah. Every year, with each new family, she names the biggest cub Kubwa (Big), the smallest one Ndogo (Small) and the fastest one Epesi (Swift).
But every now and then a cub comes along who wants to know everything about everything. Aesha names that cub Mjuvi (Cheeky) and does her best to keep it out of trouble. This year, it seems, that is going to be especially hard!

Stories with magic inspire us to believe in hope and dreams. How will anyone recognize 'real life' miracles if they have not learned about magic from stories? Our Story Magic is a collection of enchanting and compelling African folklore tales written for children, with illustrations by artists from KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). Read and share these stories with the love that went into the writing of them. Some of the magical titles in this collection include: Sun and the Moon, Queen of the Tortoises, Moonlight Magic, Dad Is Eating Ashes, The Singing Dog, Jojela s Wooden Spoon, and Sunset Colors. (Ages 9-12)

Forgetful sisters Siba and Saba are always losing something. Sandals, slippers, sweaters--you name it, they lose it. When the two sisters fall asleep each night, they dream about the things they have lost that day. Until, one night, their dreams begin to reveal something entirely unexpected... With playful illustrations and a lullaby-like rhythm, this heart-warming story set in Uganda is truly one to be treasured.

Imagine you live in a small Kenyan village, where the sun rises over tall trees filled with doves. You wake to the sound of a rooster's crow, instead of an alarm clock and the school bus. Your afternoon snack is a tasty bug plucked from the sky, instead of an apple. And rather than kicking a soccer ball across a field, you kick a homemade ball of rags down a dusty road. But despite this, things aren't that different for a Kenyan child than they would be for an American kid, are they? With so much going on around you, it's just as easy to forget what your mama asked you to do!

After carrying a bowl of milk on her head across dunes and the River Niger, and even up a mountain, without spilling a drop despite many distractions, Penda gets a surprise when she arrives at the grasslands to give her father his lunch. (Ages 4 to 7).

On market day, Mama Panya's son Adika invites everyone they see to a pancake dinner! How will Mama Panya ever feed them all? With informative endnotes, this clever and heartwarming story about Kenyan village life will teach children the importance of sharing, even when you have little to give. (Ages 5-7)

Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales is a cause for celebration, landmark work that gathers in one volume many of Africa's most cherished folktales. Mandela, a Nobel Laureate for Peace, has selected these thirty-two tales with the specific hope that Africa's oldest stories, as well as a few new ones, be perpetuated by future generations and be appreciated by children throughout the world. In these "beloved stories, morsels rich with the gritty essence of Africa," we meet, among many others, a Kenyan lion named Simba, a snake with seven heads and a trickster from Zulu folklore; we hear the voices of the scheming hyena and learn from a Khoi fable how animals acquired their tails and horns. Several creation myths tell us how the land, its animals, and its people all came into existence under a punishing sun or against the backdrop of a spectacularly beautiful mountain landscape. Whether warning children about the dangers of disobedience or demonstrating that the underdog can--and often does--win, these stories, through their depiction of wise animals as well as evil monsters, are "universal in their portrayal of humanity, beasts, and the mystical." What is particularly exciting about this book is that many of the stories, in their oral form, are almost as old as Africa itself. Most of them were, in fact, first told in various African tongues around evening fires in centuries past--tales from, for example, the San and the Khoi, the original hunter-gatherers and livestock herders of Southern Africa. Translated into English and other European languages chiefly in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries from their original languages--be they Karanga, Nguni, Xhosa, or one of many others--these folktales are a testament to the craft of storytelling and the power of myth. Accompanied by dozens of enchanting, specially commissioned color paintings, Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales--culled from African countries as far-flung as Morocco, Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya--presents a fountain of precious knowledge that will be treasured by children, as well as adults, for years to come. (Ages 8-11)

This is a concept book to teach and delight. As a young African boy travels to visit his grandmother, he passes through the village market, where he sees lots of things Granny would like— four brooms, five hats, six necklaces, seven musical instruments, and so on. Stunning photographs taken in Emeka's southern Nigerian village illustrate this heartwarming story. "A wonderful multidimensional story with universal appeal." — "School Library Journal" (Ages 3-8)

Entertaining collection of 18 stories handed down from generation to generation among African tribal cultures. Includes "The Magic Crocodile," a whimsical tale of a reptile with strange powers, and "The Hare and the Crownbird," the story of a feathered friend's reward for its acts of kindness. Features 19 lively illustrations by Yuko Green. . (Ages 8-11)

It's Christmastime, and Afam has decided to create and dance his own Mmo, or masquerade, just like the big celebratory Mmos he sees performed at festivals. But each time he starts collecting things to make his costume, family preparations for Christmas -- haircuts, visiting the tailor, a church service, a trip to their village -- get in the way. Will Afam ever get to perform his Mmo? This brilliant photo-essay vividly depicts African village life, while the simple, endearing story uses a favorite holiday to gently point out the differences -- and similarities -- between cultures. (Ages 6-9)

Inspired by a true account, here is the compelling story of a child who arrives in America on the slave ship Amistad --and eventually makes her way home to Africa. (Ages 10 and up).
When a drought hits her homeland in Sierra Leone, nine-year-old Magulu is sold as a pawn by her father in exchange for rice. But before she can work off her debt, an unthinkable chain of events unfolds: a capture by slave traders; weeks in a dark and airless hold; a landing in Cuba, where she and three other children are sold and taken aboard the "Amistad"; a mutiny aboard ship; a trial in New Haven that eventually goes all the way to the Supreme Court and is argued in the Africans' favor by John Quincy Adams. Narrated in a remarkable first-person voice, this fictionalized book of memories of a real-life figure retells history through the eyes of a child -- from seeing mirrors for the first time and struggling with laughably complicated clothing to longing for family and a home she never forgets. Lush, full-color illustrations by Robert Byrd, plus archival photographs and documents, bring an extraordinary journey to life.